Page 29 of Arrogant and Merciless

“No way. I wasn’t born to be a third wheel, baby. Don’t worry, I’ll figure out a way home. If you still want to crash at my place, just text me when you’re on your way, and I’ll wait for you in the lobby.”

I type out my reply, telling him I’m coming up, and after getting quick directions from Jackie about how to get there, I kiss her goodbye.

“You gonna hook up with your bouncer again?” I tease.

“Oh, no. I don’t repeat mistakes. If it was good for me, he wouldn’t be an ex. Have fun, and don’t forget to use protection.”

“Oh God.”

“Don’t be so naïve.” She ribs me because she knows, deep down, I am. “Go and tame your billionaire. But if he acts like an idiot, come back to me. I’ll be on the dance floor for at least another hour.”

“Okay. Do you have any mints? I think I have boozy breath.”

She opens her purse and hands me a mint. Maybe not the best time to admit I’m feeling a little dizzy. If it were any other guy, in my current state, I’d keep my distance, but weirdly enough, I trust William.

I skirt around a few guys on my way, but the club’s huge and jam-packed, so I keep getting lost. After ten minutes of not making any progress, my phone vibrates. As soon as I unlock it, I see:

Mr. Marshall:Why are you taking so long?

Me:I’m lost.

Mr. Marshall:Tell me where you are. I’ll come get you.

Me:There’s a stage with a red cage in front, and girls are dancing inside it. It’s so funny.

Mr. Marshall:Are you drunk?

Me:I don’t drink, Mr. Marshall, I reply, then I let out a laugh.

Mr. Marshall:Stay right there, Taylor. I’m coming for you.

Taylor

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

I’m not completely drunk.I feel a little buzzed, that’s all—not enough to lose consciousness or fail to sense every cell in my body springing to life when, five minutes later, I see William walking toward me.

Unlike every other time we’ve met, he’s not wearing a suit. He’s dressed all in black—shirt, pants, and shoes—and he looks even sexier than usual.

I really must be out of my mind to think I have any chance with a man like that. Especially since, right now, every delicious muscle of his, as well as his eyes, are giving off a vibe of pure danger.

“You came,” I say breathlessly when he pulls me by the waist against his rigid body. I doubt there’s a single ounce of extra fat on him. He’s hard and well-defined, like concrete.

“Why’d you drink?” he growls into my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

“I could say it’s none of your business. But the truth is I’ve missed you, although that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten how things ended last time.”

“Don’t tease me, Taylor.”

“I’m not teasing. I’m angry with you.”

“I know. But you still want me, or else you wouldn’t have told me where you were. You knew I’d hunt you down.”

Hunt me. Yes, I want that. Hunt me, Mr. Delicious.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“How much did you drink, Taylor?”

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